The closer you are to the center, the more centered the moon will be over the sun. Apparently at the edges of the totality path it can be actually easier to see certain parts of the sun's atmosphere which are going to be hidden by the moon since the moon will not be centered over the disk. My understanding is that once you get far enough away from the center that this is a benefit, the length of the total phase is so short it really isn't worth it.
Near the center, it sounds like a bit off-center isn't a big deal. There is a map at http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2017_GoogleMapFull.html?Lat=44.28306&Lng=-115.17929&Zoom=11&LC=1 which will give you the start and end times for any point on the path, including away from the path. It will also show you how covered the sun will be at your location if you are outside the path. On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 7:59 AM, Matt <matt.mailingli...@gmail.com> wrote: > I have been wandering. What would be the difference between if you > are 20 miles from the dead center of the path vs 2 miles from dead > center? I know the duration will be slightly different but will it be > any more appealing in any other way? > > > On Sun, Aug 6, 2017 at 10:41 AM, <ch...@wbmfg.com> wrote: > > If you are fortunate enough to be able to see the eclipse on the 21st, > low > > cost optical filters can be made out of a double layer of aluminized > Mylar > > space blankets. > > > > $1.99, cut up many strips and you have your viewing glasses and dozens > to > > give away. > > > > And of course you don’t need any eye protection during totality. > -- *Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.* Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602 forre...@imach.com | http://www.packetflux.com <http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux>
